Monday, February 23rd, 2004
PAWS
Actionline
A weekly opportunity
to make a difference
for animals
PAWS Campaign Against Circuses That Use Performing Animals
Important Links
PAWS Animal Cruelty Resources and Links
Legislative Links
Washington State- House of Representatives
- Senate
Federal
- House of Representatives
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Senator Patty Murray
Vote Smart is an excellent resource for all sorts of legislation.
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PAWS Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046
PAWS Physical Address:
15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Ask your U.S. Representative to Co-Sponsor the Antifreeze Safety Act, H.R. 1563
The Antifreeze Safety Act, H.R. 1563, which has recently been introduced in Congress, would require the addition of a bittering agent to antifreeze and coolant, in order to be rendered unpalatable. Thousands of animals and children suffer each year from accidental poisoning as a result of drinking antifreeze containing the sweet tasting, but toxic ethylene glycol. Most animal encounters with antifreeze are fatal; one teaspoon can kill a seven-pound cat. Classic symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, unconsciousness, drooling, panting, and seizures, with initial symptoms often appearing within one hour of ingestion.
Environmental impact tests demonstrate that antifreeze/coolant containing denatonium benzoate, the world's most bitter substance, is safe and effective. Denatonium benzoate has been safely used for years in many household and personal care products, including cosmetics. This minor addition would cost only pennies per gallon. While some companies have volunteered to add the bittering agent, only passage of the federal legislation will ensure uniform compliance from all manufacturers for the consumer market.
What you can do:
Please contact your U.S. Representative and urge him/her to cosponsor H.R. 1563. If you do not know who represents you, go to: www.house.gov and type in your zip code (your 5-digit zip code is sufficient).
Get Toxic Chemicals Out of the Environment, and Protect Wildlife- Contact your Legislator Today
Toxic flame retardants, PCBs, and mercury are persistent toxic chemicals (or PBTs) - some of the most dangerous chemicals on the planet- and are extremely toxic in very small quanitites. These chemicals are also linked to adverse health effects such as learning disabilities, birth defects, hormone dysfunction, and cancer.
High levels of toxic flame retardants have been found in Columbia River fish and in peregrine falcons. A recent study by the Environmental Working Group found U.S. mothers' breast milk contained levels of toxic flame retardants 75 times higher than the average European woman. These are just some of the indicators that toxic chemicals are increasing in our environment. PCBs in salmon and mercury in tuna have received media attention lately due to their increasing levels.
What are your legislators doing to protect you? In 2001, Washington State demonstrated its commitment to a safe and healthy environment by establishing a ground-breaking policy strategy to reduce and eliminate persistent toxic chemicals. However, funding for this PBT program, administered by the Department of Ecology, is at risk of being cut. Without future funding, Ecology will be unable to move forward on its plan to eliminate mercury and other persistent toxic chemicals.
Funding for Ecology's PBT program can be restored, but public pressure on your Senators is needed!
What you can do:
Call your Washington State Senator, who can be reached at 1-800-562-6000. All you need to say is "Hi, I'm ___________ from __________. I'm calling to ask my legislators to restore full funding to Ecology's PBT program."
Send a letter. Visit the Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) website at www.watoxics.org for a quick and easy way to send your legislators an e-mail.
Become educated. Find out how you can practice prevention in your own home and community. Visit the WTC website at www.watoxics.org for more information on this campaign and others targeting toxic pollution.
(PAWS is a member of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, a broad-based alliance of organizations working to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals across Washington state and promote safer alternatives to these chemicals).
Great News: Salish Lodge Drops Foie Gras from Menus!
As a direct result of requests from its animal-loving patrons, the Salish Lodge & Spa (in the foothills of Washington's Cascade Mountains) will no longer serve foie gras in any of its restaurants. Foie gras is the engorged liver of a duck or goose that has been force-fed massive amounts of feed via a 12- to 16-inch metal tube. The production of foie gras is so cruel that it is considered animal torture by those in the animal welfare community, and has been outlawed in Israel. (A bill banning the production and sale of foie gras in California is being considered by the legislature of that state.)
According to Food Director Paul Wolman, Salish Lodge is opposed to any food products that are the result of animal cruelty, and endeavors to purchase and serve only humanely produced products. The lodge stopped serving foie gras on February 1 of this year.
What you can do:
Please thank Salish Lodge & Spa for taking this animal-friendly step. they can be reached at: reservations@salishlodge.com.
Next time you dine at a restaurant that serves foie gras, please let them know the presence on their menu of a product that comes from force-feeding ducks and geese is enough to turn your stomach. For more info on the cruel production of foie gras, visit The Humane Society of the US at: www.hsus.org/ace/11507.
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